06-20-2005 Planning Commission Packet

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. �- � �, , ��f�� Tune 16, 2005 J(J� Orono Plaiming Commission �;�� 00� Orono City Council Y�F ORpNo Orono Planning Staff RE: Application #OS-31-21 I�iterior Expansion of Conditional Use and Exterior Creation of New outdoor Front patio and rear deck for Drinking and Eating -Narrows Saloon Dear Conunission, Couiicil and Staff; I am writing this letter on behalf of Neighbors For a Better Navarre, a growing organization of concerned residents, the majority of whose members currently reside on or around Kelly Avenue. We have received and reviewed Applicant's plans for this proposed expansion at a meeting called especially for that purpose Tuesday night, June 14. Applicant was invited to present their case and agreed to do so but decided not to attend without notifying us. Here is a list of our concenis: 1. We strongly urge the City Of Orono to place a moratorium on development in Downtown Navarre and develop a vision and plan for this small area that we can all live with and be proud of. We first requested this in April, 2004 when the ill conceived RestaurantBar was proposed by Mike Keaveny and Paul Ode. It is even more relevant today. Granting this massive interior and exterior expansion of the Saloon, witli outdoor party decks and an outdoor bar will set the retail tone for Downtown Navarre for decades to come. We believe granting this request will lead to even more bars desiring to locate at this intersection and drive out more desirable development. The fact that the Keaveny property is ripe for developinent and the addition of Lund's ownership of Rick's Market reinforce the cornmon sense of the city creating a plan, There are already serious traffic and noise polltttion issues in downtown Navarre. This is the time for the City of Orono to Ue proactive and show leadership, not just to react to every request that comes along, which will only lead to the further deterioration of Navarre. While physically far from Orono City Of�ces, we are still a part of the city,pay tax dollars to the city and deserve the attention of the Planning Coinmission, Council and staff in developing a sensiUle plan. 2. I�i the event you decide not to place a moratorium,we believe that current proUlems with the applicant's operation must be addressed in conjunction with granting any approval. There is loud izoise that emanates from the property late into the night when the doors are opened and the homes near the Saloon literally vibrate when a"hot band" is playing. Chopper noise late at night and puUlic drunkeiuless ihat spews down Kelly Avenue is also a problem.